THE MORNING SHOW

Apple TV’s The Morning Show doesn’t just offer a behind-the-scenes look at how a hit morning show operates, it also explores the #MeToo storyline within the broadcast newsroom. When everyone’s favourite morning talk show co-host Mitch (Steve Carrell) is fired for sexual misconduct, his long-time co-host Alex (Jennifer Aniston) is left scrambling to pick up the pieces and save her own job. When Bradley (Reese Witherspoon) comes on as Alex’s new co-host, the two are pitted against each other, creating a constantly changing dynamic that’s so interesting to watch. One is a seasoned TV host who has existed in a male-dominated system that’s barely made space for her, and the other is a younger, outspoken journalist trying to make her mark. Throw in the talent bookers, producers, studio heads and other players, and you’ve got a whole lot of layered office dynamics and gender politics to deal with over the course of the ten episodes – and I loved every minute of it.

At its core, The Morning Show is about women discovering that they have more power than they initially thought, and how they choose to use it – with ambition, misogyny, accountability, workplace relationships and ageism all at play. What I particularly love is that the characters don’t always fit nicely into the “villainous predator” and “innocent victim” categories; each is humanised and all sides are explored, without everything being black and white. It’s an honest, timely look at the entertainment industry (or any industry, for that matter) and how it’s changing as women speak up for themselves. This one will entertain (the cast is amazing!) and make you think. Definitely worth a watch.